Chapter 211

Using Tenken fragments as the Qi Sea's sole Uniqueness Defining Object is no small strength, and its future upper limit is not low either.

Because it originates from being part of a Myth weapon.

Uesugi Toru can completely collect more Tenken fragments in the future, even an entire Tenken to supplement the Defining Object's completeness.

Defining with an entire Tenken would surely forge a vast Qi Sea among the top killers in Genjitsu.

Then, how to choose?

Uesugi Toru gives the answer without hesitation.

"——How could I be short-sighted, discarding the great for the small?"

He waves a finger, and the "Uniqueness Defining Object" prompt before him vanishes.

Indeed, being able to instantly realize potential into strength, making the Qi Sea instantly expand dozens to hundreds of times is very tempting, and a clear future ascent path is placed right before oneself.

But doing so would lose true potential.

For Uesugi Toru, what is "true potential"?

"Yokai Avatar Cards."

This point is beyond doubt.

Even the reason he wanted to define the Qi Sea with Five Elements Boundary Objects was because of the incompatibility between the two Avatar Cards inside the Qi Sea.

——Establishing a stable cycle with Five Elements Boundary Objects, then placing five same-rank Avatar Cards that can keep upgrading inside, the upper limit is simply immeasurable.

And currently……

Uesugi Toru gazes at the fragments floating in midair, ruthlessly suppressing the two Avatar Cards.

Hmm, the Tenken fragments don't look like they get along very well with them.

Perhaps the moment they are confirmed as the Uniqueness Defining Object, the two cards would get a big flying kick from it and be kicked out of the Qi Sea.

This is what Uesugi Toru does not want to see.

"So, go down."

Uesugi Toru says softly, manipulating the Qi Coating generated by the Avatar Cards inside the Qi Sea, forcibly dragging this fragment into the churning Qi Sea.

The fragment struggles a bit at first, but in just a moment it is drowned by a large amount of Qi.

As if knowing his thoughts, a second prompt pops up——

【Whether to use "Tenken Fragment" as one of the Void Qi Sea's Five Elements Boundary Objects?】

"Yes."

Uesugi Toru nods.

In the next moment, the golden light enveloping the entire Void Qi Sea slowly recedes, instead converging on the fragment's own Surface.

Buzz buzz buzz.

A moment later, the fragment, having completely changed its previous tyrannical attitude, rises from the Qi Sea again, slowly inspecting, as if searching which Avatar Card suits it better.

Finally, the glittering golden fragment lands on the Prajna Card's head, fusing into one, causing the already magnificent Card Face to be plated with a layer of bright golden border.

It also makes the White Prajna inside the card stir slightly, adding a touch of spirituality to its gaze once more.

Crash!

In an instant, the Qi Sea originally two-thirds occupied by the Four-Tailed Fox begins churning violently.

In just a moment, the black-red Qi Sea portion compresses large swathes of the pink-white Qi Sea back, making the Void Qi Sea once again a you-half-me-half scene.

But although the overall occupied portion is compressed, the actual amount of "Qi" is far greater than before.

Uesugi Toru roughly estimates——after the fragment fuses with the Prajna Card, the entire Void Qi Sea expanded at least one to two times in a few seconds.

And it continues expanding at high speed far exceeding ten-plus times the previous rate.

Unfortunately, the anticipated contact and cycle still wasn't achieved——Prajna and Four-Tailed Fox's portions remain clearly distinct, each doing their own thing.

"This is normal too."

After all this is something only a Five Elements cycle can achieve, and currently his Qi Sea only has one.

But the point of restraining the Four-Tailed Fox Card was achieved.

——And the Prajna Card didn't reversely oppress either.

Besides that, Uesugi Toru can also clearly feel that all the Qi in the entire Qi Sea has gained a touch of cold, sharp keenness.

Should be able to improve these Qi Coatings' armor-piercing property considerably.

Besides that……there's nothing more.

The fragment is ultimately just a fragment, and Uesugi Toru even refused to let it become the Unique, instead making it one-fifth of the Boundary Objects.

This is his choice.

Uesugi Toru quietly observes the two cards for a good while, smiling and nodding upon discovering they continue expanding peacefully.

He opens his eyes in the Dojo.

Soon, he can perceive that the Qi Coating inside his body, whether in quantity or quality, is rising at a small but clearly perceptible degree.

From now on, whether the strength of Qi Coating circulation or the speed of Muscle Forging the Flesh Palace will become stronger and faster because of this.

The commotion, however, is exceptionally small.

One might say the Qi Sea's changes can almost not affect Reality at all.

Uesugi Toru slowly exhales: "Qi Sea, worthy of being the noble output only unlocked at the very end of the Breathing Technique's first major stage."

Compared to Internal Organs Fortification and Kishaku, the Qi Sea completely crushes them by who knows how many times, whether from pure strength or functionality.

Just as he thinks this, his nose twitches, smelling the bone broth scent drifting down from the third floor.

"What's Shizuku doing, making it smell this good……"

Uesugi Toru is just wiping his mouth corner when he recalls Shizuku saying before that cooking is also Cultivation.

——It's Sword Principle, I added Sword Principle!

"Alright, no matter how absurd the answer is, it shouldn't be this one."

He listened intently to the movements upstairs and discovered there was obviously still quite a bit of time before this meal was completed.

"Then, let's take this time to learn these Nine Syllables Mantra as well."

Anyway, all that's needed is to tear open the scroll.

Uesugi Toru took out the scroll from his Storage Backpack and briefly examined this ancient scroll that stored one of the legendary Great Yin-Yang Art's Nine Syllables Mantra.

Judging by appearance alone, the value of this scroll couldn't be seen at all.

——Old, dust-covered, a tattered scroll of unknown material, the blurry and indistinct characters on it made one completely unable to sense its marvel.

Even Uesugi Toru was the same.

At a glance, he only felt that what he held in his hand was a piece of trash picked up from who knows where.

Should say a scroll storing the Great Yin-Yang Art is extraordinary after all.

Uesugi Toru nodded noncommittally and exerted force with both hands.

Rip——

What came from his hand was not the fragile sensation of tearing paper.

Instead, it was a tenacity and elasticity so powerful that not even the edges had the slightest damage!

Hm?

Uesugi Toru raised an eyebrow, and substantial Gang Qi immediately wrapped around his palm.

Once more, he exerted full force from the center towards both sides!

Password error.

The Parchment Scroll remained immovable.

Clearly it looked like it could, but reality was that even with Uesugi Toru exerting all his strength, he couldn't make it tear even a little.

"Perhaps... it's to prevent Ordinary People or Samurai who only cultivate Breathing Technique from tearing it open."

The thought flashed through his mind, and Uesugi Toru acted the moment he thought of it.

Thus the Gang Qi ceased, replaced by thick, nearly liquefied Spirit Power wrapping around it.

The vast Spirit Power had just surged from Uesugi Toru's hand when it was absorbed by the Parchment Scroll, not a drop remaining.

Uesugi Toru's eyes brightened.

That's it!

He grinned and immediately increased his Spirit Power output, wanting to see how much Spirit Power it would take to feed the small Parchment Scroll in his hand until it was full.

Ten seconds, twenty seconds...

Until a minute passed, Uesugi Toru in human form was sweating profusely, his Spirit Power bottomed out, and he had no choice but to transform into his Four-Tailed Fox Incarnation to continue.

Feeling his body brimming with Spirit Power again, Uesugi Toru gripped the Parchment Scroll tightly, circulated the Spirit Control Technique at full power, absorbing Heaven Earth Spirit Qi while infusing it inside.

Upstairs, Shizuku, who was holding the handle of a High Pressure Cooker that nearly tipped over, frowned.

——That guy Uesugi-kun, what's he doing down there again.

First floor Dojo, two minutes later Uesugi Toru was drenched in sweat again, even the Spirit Power of his Four-Tailed Fox Incarnation consumed eighty to ninety percent.

"But it's finally..."

Uesugi Toru panted heavily, the slightly glowing Parchment Scroll in his hand tearing towards both sides——

Torn in two!

Rip.

The Parchment Scroll, cleansed by massive Spirit Power until smooth as new, was easily torn open, and the ancient golden secret characters stored within immediately soared out.

With a whoosh, they shot straight into Uesugi Toru's forehead.

In an instant, Uesugi Toru suddenly discovered his five senses had been detached from his flesh body——though he could still sense them, he could not control them.

And when he came to his senses again, his consciousness had arrived in a black space with no up or down, having lost boundaries, nearly possessing nothing.

Only before his eyes stood an ancient, imposing silver secret character.

Ancient, noble, and exuding a deep, profound majesty.

Though he couldn't read it, Uesugi Toru thought it should be the "Rin" character.

He waited a while, but no acquisition prompt popped up.

Uesugi Toru let out an "Ah."

Whatever happened to the promise that tearing it open would let you learn it?

So you want me to come here and comprehend it on my own?!

Just as he thought this, the "Rin" character before him instantly erupted with a burst of brilliant radiance and crashed towards him.

Uesugi Toru couldn't dodge in time.

After a bout of subtle dizziness, he felt he could freely enter and exit this black space with his consciousness, and a learning prompt finally popped up before his eyes——

【You have learned, Nine Syllables Rin Character Secret!】

【Rin Character Secret】

【Mastery: 1%】

【Effect: After use, generate a barrier at will.】

【——The beginning of all things, governing all existence.】

After reading the Rin Character Secret's Skill Panel several times, Uesugi Toru fell into contemplation.

This description makes it sound so amazing, how come the effect falls flat?

Generate a barrier... who knows how many Yin-Yang Techniques like this the Special Affairs Division has, not to mention a thousand kinds, but absolutely over a hundred kinds can be found.

Regardless, let's first try the effect.

Uesugi Toru's mind moved, returning to reality, and he used the Rin Character Secret to suddenly summon a translucent barrier before him.

He extended a finger and began tapping it, gradually increasing the force.

Finally, when he used two parts of strength, the barrier shattered under the weight.

Uesugi Toru touched his chin—this effect was only slightly better than the earth barrier of Basic Onmyo Technique.

Great Yin-Yang Art?

That's it?

He set his gaze on the 【Mastery】 column again.

The barrier's strength was low, possibly related to the extreme uniqueness of this Nine Syllables Mantra being only 1%.

Wait.

As Uesugi Toru summoned another barrier, preparing to test, he suddenly realized something.

Since maintaining Gang Qi circulation requires Gang Qi, and using Yin-Yang Technique consumes Spirit Power...

Then using this Rin Character Secret, what does it consume?

His Gang Qi and Spirit Power had no consumption at all!

At this moment, a faint heat came from the back of his hand.

Uesugi Toru lowered his head and glimpsed on the back of his right hand a mark exactly like the "Rin" character in the black space, yet so faint it was nearly invisible.

He released several more barriers in succession, and thus a more scorching heat came from the back of his right hand.

I understand.

This Rin Character Secret is equivalent to a special skill; releasing it requires no energy consumption at all, but only consumes its own "number of uses"!

Most likely, this number of uses can also continuously recover with the passage of time.

Uesugi Toru gazed at the mark gradually fading on the back of his right hand, his eyes equally blazing.

—This time, it truly lives up to the name Great Yin-Yang Art!

He closed his eyes and hurriedly entered that black space once more.

The majestic and ancient "Rin" character still stood in the darkness, as if eternal.

"If you want to increase mastery, I suppose you must come here to contemplate this 'Rin' character."

Uesugi Toru mused, then set his gaze above, wanting to try to focus his attention.

Eating String Hun Xiang Hui and then coming to contemplate designated works wonders, but now he wanted to try his own strength without using incense ash.

No one knows how long passed.

It seemed like a long time, yet also like an instant, a strong dizziness appeared in Uesugi Toru's brain, kicking him out of the black space.

In the dojo, Uesugi Toru shook his head, first glancing at the Rin Character Secret panel.

【Mastery: 1.005%.】

One contemplation actually increased progress by a full 0.005%?

It can't be said to be super effective, only that it has no effect at all.

It seems that when facing these ancient characters, relying solely on one's own understanding is powerless.

He rubbed his swollen Sun Temple: "From now on, the expenditure on String Hun Xiang Hui will have to increase by another item."

Looking up at the Clock again, Uesugi Toru discovered that nearly an hour had almost passed.

Clearly his subjective time was only a few dozen seconds.

"Time really passes quickly..."

"—Uesugi-kun, come eat!"

Shizuku's Family Calls crossed the floors, and together with the scent of Tonkotsu Ramen interrupted Uesugi Toru's thoughts.

Why could he suddenly react that it was Tonkotsu Ramen...

Uesugi Toru, standing up, shook his head, thinking could this also be part of Sword Principle?

Walking up to the third floor, one could smell the rich, mouth-watering scent emanating from the carefully simmered ramen broth.

He turned his head and saw on the huge dining table two bowls of Tonkotsu Ramen served in hot pot-sized bowls.

First catching the eye was the char siu piled up with sauce into a small mountain, as if afraid he wouldn't eat enough.

Two perfectly cooked soft-boiled eggs were cut down the middle, neatly lying beside, while the crisp tall nori was half placed in the broth and half exposed to the air, combining two flavors.

Beneath the ingredients were noodles that at a glance could be felt to have "chewiness."

Without thinking, this "Shizuku-made Ramen" would definitely be a hundred or even a thousand times more authentic and delicious than those chain store hits on the street!

Uesugi Toru could not bear it and slurped once at his drool.

If he didn't slurp, this saliva would drip onto the Floorboard.

—As for how Shizuku could process so many ingredients into their current state in an hour?

Such words naturally need not be asked.

At the table, the girl still wearing an Apron had already pulled out a chair and Sat Down.

She just hadn't moved her Chopsticks, probably waiting for his Arrival.

Uesugi Toru quickly sat opposite Shizuku, picked up his Chopsticks, and said to the girl, I'm starting.

"I'm starting."

Shizuku replied, then as her Chopsticks were about to enter the bowl she paused, secretly raising her Eyebrow.

Wanting to observe Uesugi Toru's Expression when he took the first bite.

Usually, the first reaction when not realizing one is being watched is the most genuine.

It was her first time making such a complex dish, so she didn't know how the taste was.

Slurp~

Under her gaze, Uesugi Toru, who was wrapping chashu around ramen and sending it into his mouth, curved his eyes, revealing a blissful expression, then immediately continued eating in large mouthfuls.

Shizuku withdrew her gaze and likewise ate using this method.

After one bite, the girl froze for a moment.

So delicious.

She thought.

As expected of me.

The two ate at a moderate pace, but neither spoke.

Except for some special circumstances, both Uesugi Toru and Shizuku were the type to quietly enjoy good food.

But someone... or rather, a sword, did not think so.

Just as Uesugi Toru was about to finish eating and slap the table to order a second bowl, the heartstring in his mind trembled uncontrollably.

Uesugi Toru couldn't hold out, so he had no choice but to release the energetic Kaga Kiyomitsu for some air.

"Hmm?"

Kaga Kiyomitsu had just appeared at his waist, slurping noodles, when Shizuku subconsciously cast her gaze over.

Because a strand of unfamiliar Sword Principle had suddenly appeared within the Sword Domain.

To Shizuku, unfamiliar Sword Principle was even more eye-catching than a lighthouse in the darkness.

"Kaga Kiyomitsu?"

Upon seeing the true source emitting Sword Principle, Shizuku just let the noodles dangle in midair, stunned.

Hum?

Kaga Kiyomitsu, who had already sprung out more than half his body in an instant, trembled all over and suddenly shrank back.

"Scared scared scared... Xiao Jia is scared!"

Hearing such a voice, Uesugi Toru looked up and saw the girl standing up with both hands propped on the table, a large pile of noodles hanging from her mouth.

"What's there to be afraid of?"

He gave a hehe smile, pulled the now-feigning-death Kaga Kiyomitsu out of the Sword Sheath, and placed him on the table.

—Finally someone can properly discipline this spoiled child, so he must give a good push from behind.

But feigning death couldn't fool Shizuku.

Within the perception of the Sword Domain, Kaga Kiyomitsu glowed all over, shining brightly.

She slurped the noodles into her mouth in one go, and while chewing, mumbled: "This Kaga Kiyomitsu of yours... has developed autonomous spirituality?"

Uesugi Toru nodded: "Mn, I met a kind Heavenly Craftsman, and after forging it, it became like this."

Hearing this, Shizuku's gaze scanned Kaga Kiyomitsu from head to toe bit by bit.

Finally, the girl sat back down somewhat regretfully, shaking her head: "To be honest, if it weren't Uesugi-kun's, I'd want to snatch it away."

Kaga Kiyomitsu trembled.

But upon sensing Shizuku's gaze, it immediately became motionless again.

Uesugi Toru could hear it trembling in the heartstring as it said,

"Big... big big, Great Demon King... scared scared, Owner..."

And Uesugi Toru, this Owner, mercilessly sold out his own child: "Shizuku, Xiao Jia says you are a terrifying Great Demon King, it's very afraid of you."

Once this sentence was spoken, Kaga Kiyomitsu completely froze.

The hanging heart finally settled.

"Me?" Shizuku said strangely, "I wouldn't do anything."

She pondered that she hadn't yet moved hand or foot, done nothing at all.

Sending the last bit of soup into his mouth, Uesugi Toru, eighty percent full, watched the girl whose gaze never left Kaga Kiyomitsu for a moment, and gloated in thought,

"Xiao Jia is indeed an unmistakable great succubus for Sword Saints and Samurai."

"Then you two go communicate feelings first."

Uesugi Toru put down the bowl, and just after finishing eating, felt a wave of drowsy fatigue,

He tossed the Sword Sheath to Shizuku, and blinking at her said: "I'm going to sleep a big sleep, Xiao Jia is handed over to you, Shizuku, today."

Shizuku, who originally wanted to say something, was stunned, revealed a smile, and raised both hands toward Kaga Kiyomitsu.

"Exactly what I wished for."

Hum—

Without minding the noise coming from the Living Room, Uesugi Toru directly did a headfirst dive onto the neat big bed, and without thinking further, followed the drowsiness and closed his eyes.

He thought, it was probably because comprehending the Rin Character Secret earlier consumed too much Spirit.

When he opened his eyes again, he should be able to directly go to Chang Shi to find Katsumi.

That was why he left Kaga Kiyomitsu with Shizuku for safekeeping—Katsumi's gaze toward Xiao Jia wasn't quite right, heaven knows what that merchant's scale in his heart would make it do.

Sleeping until the Next Day morning, Uesugi Toru directly entered Chang Shi while on the bed.

The trading location, he chose Arakawa Village.

This way, after finishing the buying and selling, he could also freeload some related information from Katsumi.

Water Pressure swept past.

Just as he entered Arakawa Village, Uesugi Toru felt something was off.

Because...

He raised his head, and did not see the familiar Straw Roof.

The damp rotten straw smell and sulfur smell had also completely dispersed.

The old shrine was casually stuck upside-down into the dirt, whether because no one cared or because others couldn't see it.

Uesugi Toru turned his head again and discovered that the place where the Gassho-style houses and street should have been was now a vast emptiness.

Only wasteland remained.

Even the fields farther away had become rows of drainage ditches.

Arakawa Village was gone, and the shop that foreman had pinned high hopes on was also gone.

What remained... was probably only that blacksmith shop in the distance.

And also——

Uesugi Toru gazed into the distance and saw, at the end of the horizon, a forest of steel rising from the ground, shrouded in the thunderous roar of machinery in operation.

Thick, pitch-black smoke spurted from dozens upon hundreds of chimneys; the monotonous, orderly sound of gear riveting mingled with the noisy sounds of cutting, grinding, and quenching, spreading together in all directions across the empty wasteland.

This sound was more than ten times louder than the previous factory.

Uesugi Toru watched for a moment, then put on the Black Wrath God Mask first — Katsumi had said using it for positioning would be faster.

Not even ten-odd minutes later, that familiar tone appeared out of thin air once more.

"Yo— Walking Adult really is punctual~"

A Katsumi clone, about the height of an ordinary person but still made of straw, waved a folding fan.

He had also heard the factory's rumbling commotion, so he turned his head: "Hmm... it's those Factory Masters' handiwork again."

Katsumi muttered a sentence, didn't linger, and looked back with a smile: "Alright Adult, let me tally up the items you want to sell."

Uesugi Toru didn't waste words; a wave of his hand summoned a pile of items prepared long ago.

Katsumi bowed down, picking them up one by one and examining each carefully.

Two minutes later, he snapped open his folding fan, pointed at the Plague God Bell, Hina Crown, Foot Soldier Armor, and some other miscellaneous props and materials, and said,

"Adult, how about 1,800 portions of Soul Ash total for these?"

"Naturally no objection."

Uesugi Toru nodded; among this batch of items, only the Plague God Bell had the highest quality, but it was merely Rare, and its effect was also quite limited.

Being able to sell for nearly 2,000 points of Soul Ash already counted as not bad.

Because he still needed to ask Adult Erchi for related information afterward, there was no need to quibble with Katsumi over a gain or loss of one or two hundred points.

"Then what about it?"

Uesugi Toru looked at the Iron Pestle again.

Katsumi smiled, raising three fingers: "Three thousand portions."

"On the other side, this iron pestle happens to fit the needs of a wealthy Ox Demon client; he said he can offer this price."

A great merchant whose footsteps span Chang Shi and Genjitsu, with tens of millions of clients, shook his head and swayed as he chanted,

"So— choosing the right client is important."

A single Rare+ quality iron pestle, with no features besides hardness, actually managed to sell for a full 3,000 points of Soul Ash!

And he originally already had over 6,000 points of Soul Ash.

Uesugi Toru calculated slightly in his mind, then his pupils contracted slightly.

Wouldn't his Soul Ash reserves break through a full 10,000 points just like that!

(End of Chapter)